Mobile originated interactive menus via short messaging services

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for providing 2-way interactive short message system menus to a mobile device using text-based short messaging rather than WAP techniques. This provides the ability to provide WAP like services at a fraction of the cost of CSD. Mobile Originated Interactive Menus are implemented as a feature of a Short Message Service Center (SMSC). Each option guides either to the next menu level, or to a final action to be executed according to the path followed by the subscriber. Importantly, the mobile originated interactive menus use SMS communications instead of circuit switched data (CSD) (e.g., instead of WAP communications), thus leaving traffic channels available for voice calls. Interactive SMS menus allow service providers to offer their subscribers personalized messaging menus with multiple options for quick and easy access to Web-based content. Users may define the content and frequency they want, whether it is a scheduled delivery or on-demand. The interactive SMS menu options offer customers a simple-to-use technique and apparatus for checking, e.g., stock quotes, local weather, and/or other Web-based news and information when they want it. The interactive nature of the service allows the wireless network to poll the user for their next response, with multiple menued options offered, making it highly intuitive. Replacement of messages in TDMA and GSM mobile devices allow for heavy usage without filling up the user&#39;s phone buffer, i.e., prior messages may be overwritten, to assure that only the latest information is all that is being displayed and read. The flexibility of Interactive SMS Menus can allow service providers to define their own base offering of menus, depending upon their targeted customer segments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to wireless communicationsnetworks. More particularly, it relates to the communication of menusbetween a mobile (i.e., wireless) device and an application server via ashort message service center (SMSC).

[0003] 2. Background of Related Art

[0004] Wireless communication services are in increasing demand inresponse to a society that is becoming increasingly mobile. In the early1990s, as a result of the growing popularity of digital wirelesstechnology, a standard for digital wireless networks was introduced inEurope. That standard, now known as the global standard for mobiles(GSM), included a service called short messaging service (SMS). An SMSsystem allows transmission of short messages, typically up to 160characters, to and from communication devices, e.g., cellular telephonehandsets, telephones or computers with appropriate modems. In NorthAmerica, the SMS is currently implemented on digital wireless/mobilenetworks, such as a PCS network based on the GSM standard, code divisionmultiple access (CDMA) and/or time division multiple access (TDMA)methods. Short message services are gaining in popularity, particularlyin the United States.

[0005] Short message services are advantageous over text based pagingservices because of the capability of bi-directional communication. Suchbi-directional communication allows, for example, notification to theoriginating device of the success or failure of the short messagedelivery.

[0006] Each SMS network typically includes a short message servicecenter (SMSC) which acts as a store-and-forward mechanism providingguaranteed delivery of short messages to a subscriber, even if thesubscriber is inactive when the message was transmitted, by deliveringthe short messages once the subscriber becomes active. Delivery of allshort messages is guaranteed regardless of whether or not the intendedsubscriber is “on-line” because the transmitted short message is storedwithin the SMS network and delivered to the intended subscriber fromtheir assigned SMSC when the subscriber becomes available.

[0007] A variety of services have been introduced using SMS networksincluding, for example, integrated electronic mail and fax, integratedpaging, interactive banking, and information services such as stockquotes and airline schedule delivery.

[0008] In operation, an SMSC receives a short message from any sourceand intended to be delivered to a particular subscriber. When theintended subscriber is not available because, for example, it is turnedoff or is outside of the service area of the SMS network, the attempt todeliver the short message at that time will fail. In this case, theshort message will be retained in the SMS network for a later deliveryattempt. Thereafter, when the subscriber finally becomes available,e.g., is turned on or has moved into the service area of the SMSnetwork, the relevant portions of the network (e.g., the mobileservicing center (MSC) and the home location register (HLR)) notify theSMSC to initiate delivery of the stored (i.e., previously failed) shortmessages.

[0009]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary structure of a SMS network 500. Althoughthe following example is described using terms and protocols mainly asdefined by the North American standard IS-41, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the example is applicable to any networks thatoffer store-and-forward type short message service.

[0010] The SMS network 500 typically includes one short message servicecenter (SMSC) 501. The SMSC 501 typically includes a storage subsystemto store short messages that had failed to be delivered. The SMSC 501typically further includes various interfaces (not shown) to receiveshort messages originating from various sources and protocols, such as aVoice Mail System (VMS) 508, paging networks using, e.g., TelocatorNumeric Paging Protocol (TNPP) 509, devices using the Short MessagePeer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol 510 via TCP/IP, e-mail systems using theSimple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) 511, and/or devices using theTelocator Alphanumeric Protocol (TAP) 512. Some of the various sourcesof the short messages may be gateways to other networks.

[0011] The SMSC 501 may further include a gateway/interworking block(not shown) that enables the SMSC 501 to communicate with the rest ofthe SMS network 500, such as a Home Location Register (HLR) 503 or aMobile Switching Center (MSC) 505, using the Signaling System No. 7(SS7) 502. The methods and mechanism of communication in the SMS network500 are defined by the mobile application part (MAP) layer, which usesthe services of the SS7 transaction capabilities application part (TCAP)as the signaling infrastructure of the SMS network 500. The protocol forthe signaling is referred to as the IS-41 protocol under the Americanstandard as published by the Telecommunication Industry Association(TIA) or as the GSM MAP under the European standard published byEuropean Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI).

[0012] The Home Location Register (HLR) 503 includes a database thatpermanently stores and manages subscriptions and service profiles ofusers having a subscription to the SMS network 500. Although only oneHLR 503 is shown, the SMS network 500 may include two or more HLRs. TheSMS network 500 also typically includes several visitor locationregisters (VLR) 504. A VLR 504 is a database temporarily holdinginformation about visiting subscribers who move into its service area.Thus, a VLR 504 contains information regarding routing information forall subscribers within its service area, and informs the relevant HLR503 of the availability and routing information regarding itssubscribers. The mobile switching center (MSC) 505 obtains subscriberinformation from the VLR 504 to service visiting subscribers.

[0013] The mobile switching center (MSC) 505 performs switching and callcontrol functions, and receives short messages from the SMSC 501 fordelivery to the appropriate mobile subscriber 507 (shown, e.g., as acellular phone handset). It is to be understood that, although only oneMSC 505 is shown, the wireless network 500 may include two or more MSCs.

[0014] The base station subsystem (BSS) 506 handles the wirelesscommunications, e.g., RF transmission and reception of voice and datatraffic, to and from the mobile subscriber 507. The BSS 506 is typicallycomposed mainly of two parts: the base transceiver station (BTS, notshown) which houses the radio transceivers that define a cell andhandles the radio-link protocols with the mobile subscriber 507, and thebase station controller (BSC, also not shown) which manages the radioresources, and handles radio channel set up, frequency hopping, andhandoffs (or handovers as is sometimes referred as). The BSC is theinterface between the MSC 505 and the subscriber 507. The subscriber507, also sometimes referred to as a mobile station (MS), typicallyconsists of mobile equipment (e.g., a cellular phone handset) preferablyuniquely identifiable by an identifying number, e.g., mobileidentification number (MIN), International mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI) and/or electronic serial number (ESN), for thesubscriber 507. The mobile equipment may include a storage area, e.g., aflash memory, a ROM, a RAM or the like to hold the unique identifyingnumber within the mobile equipment. In GSM networks, a smart card,typically referred to as a subscriber identity module (SIM) is utilizedto store a unique identifying number.

[0015]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary flow of a short message through aconventional SMS network. Although FIG. 6 shows only an example of shortmessage delivery to a mobile subscriber, it is to be understood that amobile subscriber or any other sources may originate a short message.The flow of a mobile subscriber originated short message would involvesimilar processes as the following mobile subscriber terminated shortmessage example, and would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart.

[0016] The SMSC 601 receives a short message intended for a subscriber604 from a source of short message 605 which may be any one or more ofthe aforementioned sources of short messages, e.g., 508-512 of FIG. 5.Upon receiving a short message, the SMSC 601 sends a request for routinginformation, i.e., an SMS request (SMSREQ), to the HLR 602. The HLR 602maintains information regarding the availability of the intendedsubscriber 604 and the appropriate MSC 603 that services the intendedsubscriber, and sends the information as routing information 608 back tothe SMSC 601. The SMSC 601 forwards the short message to the appropriateMSC 603 using the routing information 608 received from the HLR 602, forexample, in accordance with the short message delivery point-to-point(SMDPP) mechanism of IS-41 standard. The MSC 603 queries the VLR (notshown) for subscriber information. The VLR may perform a paging andauthentication process, and sends the subscriber information to the MSC603. The MSC 603, using the information received from the VLR, deliversthe short message to the intended subscriber 604, and sends a deliveryreport 612 to the SMSC 601. The SMSC 601 may send the result of thedelivery, i.e., the status report 613, to the source of the shortmessage 605 if requested.

[0017] When the attempted delivery of the short message has failedbecause, for instance, the intended user was out of the service area, orhad his or her communication device turned off, the MSC 603 informs theHLR 602 of the failure. The HLR 602 then turns on an SMS notificationindicator flag for the subscriber, and the SMSC 601 retains the failedmessage for a later delivery attempt.

[0018] Wireless solutions to date have allowed a subscriber to push datato the handset from a web site. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)attempts to standardize a mechanism for two-way communications. The useof WAP protocol communications requires that a special browser be loadedon the mobile device, and requires the user to enter into a dedicated‘browser mode’ to interact with 2-way services.

[0019] WAP phones can query Internet sites. WAP is currently availableonly over Circuit Switched Data (CSD) networks, which utilize a callingchannel. Also, it does not adequately utilize the existing data channelsavailable.

[0020] WAP capable mobile devices rely on pushing data to a mobiledevice, or on pulling data. WAP services can also provide a menuingsolution to mobile devices. However, such mobile devices must includeWAP specific software, increasing costs and further complicating awireless network.

[0021] Significantly, WAP technologies are available only via CSD orpacket switched data (PSD) channels that occupy a call for the durationof the WAP session.

[0022] There is a need for a mobile wireless device that does notnecessitate WAP capability in the mobile wireless device to implementinteractive menuing by a wireless mobile device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, aninteractive short messaging system menu selection process comprisesreceiving a text message from a mobile device including anidentification of a main menu. A text message is transmitted to themobile device including text of the main menu. A choice corresponding toa selected further menu is received back from the mobile device.

[0024] A method of transmitting selection of a lower level menu usingtext messaging in accordance with another aspect of the presentinvention comprises responding to a first menu displayed on a mobiledevice by overwriting at least one character of an address of the firstmenu, and transmitting the overwritten address to a short messagingsystem (SMS).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following description withreference to the drawings, in which:

[0026]FIG. 1 illustrates an information query utilizing interactive SMSmenus in a mobile device, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 an exemplary message flow providing interactive SMS menusto a mobile device, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

[0028]FIGS. 3A to 3C show exemplary interactive SMS menus displayed on amobile phone, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

[0029]FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary application of interactive SMSmenus wherein on-demand stock updates are provided in response toselection from a lower level menu, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

[0030]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary structure of a conventional SMS network.

[0031]FIG. 6 shows an exemplary flow of a short message through aconventional SMS network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The present invention provides wireless carriers with a methodand apparatus for providing 2-way interactive short message system menusto a handset. The menus can be setup as required by the service providerand can provide API linkage to external sites offering access to theInternet. This provides the ability to provide WAP like services at afraction of the cost of CSD.

[0033] Mobile Originated Interactive Menus may be implemented as afeature of a Short Message Service Center (SMSC). This feature wouldallow service providers to configure several levels of menus with, e.g.,up to 9 options per menu. Each option guides either to the next menulevel, or to a final action to be executed according to the pathfollowed by the subscriber.

[0034] Importantly, the mobile originated interactive menus use SMScommunications instead of circuit switched data (CSD) (e.g., instead ofWAP communications), thus leaving traffic channels available for voicecalls. Moreover, mobile originated mobile devices are less costly thanare wireless application protocol (WAP) equipped mobile devices.

[0035] Interactive SMS Menus may be implemented as a feature in a ShortMessage Service Center (SMSC) and Internet Gateway for CDMA, TDMA,and/or GSM networks, and does not require WAP protocol communications.Interactive SMS menus allow service providers to offer their subscriberspersonalized messaging menus with multiple options for quick and easyaccess to Web-based content.

[0036] Users may define the content and frequency they want, whether itis a scheduled delivery or on-demand. The interactive SMS menu optionsoffer customers a simple-to-use technique and apparatus for checking,e.g., stock quotes, local weather, and/or other Web-based news andinformation when they want it. The interactive nature of the serviceallows the wireless network to poll the user for their next response,with multiple menued options offered, making it highly intuitive.Replacement of messages in TDMA and GSM mobile devices allow for heavyusage without filling up the user's phone buffer, i.e., prior messagesmay be overwritten, to assure that only the latest information is allthat is being displayed and read.

[0037] The flexibility of Interactive SMS Menus can allow serviceproviders to define their own base offering of menus, depending upontheir targeted customer segments.

[0038]FIG. 1 illustrates an information query utilizing interactive SMSmenus in a mobile device, in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

[0039] In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, message flows 1-6 show a menurequest by a subscriber using a mobile device 100, and receipt of a main(or ‘root’) menu from an appropriate Web gateway 130 via an SMSC 120 andMSC 110. In the given example of FIG. 1, the mobile device 100 is theoriginating station, anointing this scenario as a ‘mobile originated’(MO) scenario.

[0040] Message flows 7-12 show the mobile device 100 continuing tonavigate down through levels of menus rooted by the originally receivedmain menu by selection using the numeric keypad of the mobile device100.

[0041] Message flows 13-15 show the user or subscriber of the mobiledevice 100 ultimately reaching and making their final selection from aparticular menu page.

[0042] Message flows 16 and 17 show an application such as QUERYNET™running on an appropriate Web gateway 130 executing a query to anavailable information server 150 on the Internet, and receiving aresult. The Web gateway 130 is preferably a wireless Internet gatewayincluding an appropriate network information server application such asQUERYNET™ available from TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. in Annapolis,Md. The Web gateway 130 may communicate with an appropriate applicationrunning on the information server 150 using, e.g., an HTTP Post XMLcommand.

[0043] Relevant portions of the QUERYNET™ application are shown anddescribed in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/___,___, filed Feb. 20, 2001,entitled “Individualized Network Information Server”, by Richard Smith,Johanna Wilson, and Steve Levine, the entirety of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Similarly, an appropriate Web gateway130 is shown and described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/630,762,filed Aug. 2, 2000, entitled “Wireless Internet Gateway”, by RichardSmith, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein byreference.

[0044] Message flows 18-21 show the Web gateway 130 querying a homelocation register (HLR) 140 for the location of the mobile device 100,and receipt of the PC of the serving MSC 110.

[0045] Message flows 22-27 show that, after formatting of the result,the Web gateway 130 returns the requested information to the mobiledevice 100, and receives an acknowledgement.

[0046]FIG. 2 an exemplary message flow providing interactive SMS menusto a mobile device, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

[0047] In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, a wireless network serviceprovider may provision a menu structure in accordance with their ownservice offerings. The main menu preferably includes one or moresubsisting menus selected from that main menu.

[0048] Process step 1 in FIG. 2 depicts the user of the mobile device100 navigating down through levels of menus by selection of an ‘option’provided by a preceding menu.

[0049] Step 2 and Step 3 show that upon selection of a final action, theSMSC 120 at a switching control point (SCP) 122 scales the final actionrequest to the appropriate external entity (e.g., to the WirelessInternet Gateway 130).

[0050] Step 4 of FIG. 2 shows the submission of a query by the WirelessInternet Gateway 130 to the appropriate Information Server 150 via theInternet 202, and the receipt of an appropriate result.

[0051] Step 5 shows the Wireless Internet Gateway 130 forwarding a shortmessage (or messages) containing the result of the query to the SMSC120. The short message is addressed to the mobile device 100 thatinitiated the query.

[0052] Step 6 shows the SMSC 120 querying the HLR 140.

[0053] Step 7 shows the HLR 140 responding with MSC point code.

[0054] Step 8 shows the SMSC 120 submitting a message to the MSC 110 fordelivery to the mobile device 100.

[0055] Simple applications may utilize the interactive SMS menus toprovide static network information, such as emergency numbers, ShortDial numbers, or useful service provider contact information (e.g.,billing questions or service frequently asked questions).

[0056] More powerful applications can seek out content information fromexternal sources via a Wireless Internet Gateway or to conducttransactions via the Web. For instance, an exemplary application mayallow the submission of a command to an external entity that returns adesired result. A potential scenario may involve a subscriber navigatingthrough a couple of menus to reach a “Stock Quotes” option, and thenentering the stock ticker of a desired stock.

[0057]FIGS. 3A to 3C show exemplary interactive SMS menus displayed on amobile phone, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

[0058] In particular, FIG. 3A shows a main menu custom configured by andfor a particular subscriber. In particular, the subscriber accesses astatic main menu from the SMSC 120 containing the text: “1:USAToday.com2:QueryNet 3:Games Options Back”.

[0059] If the subscriber were to choose ‘1’ in response to the main menushown in FIG. 3A, another static menu one level down is shown in FIG.3B, including the sub-menus of the USAToday.com. In particular, the2^(nd) level of menu for the main menu choice of ‘1’ includes the text:“1:Sports 2:Weather 3:News 4:Prev Menu Options Back”.

[0060]FIG. 3C shows an exemplary dynamic menu obtained from theinformation server 150 for the USAToday.com via the Wireless InternetGateway 130, including the text: “Ripken set to rebound afterfrustrating 1999 Orioles 3B says Options Back”.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the menu structures and/or contentare preferably service provider configurable (and even subscribercustomized). Moreover, the interactive SMS menus are delivered to themobile device 100 via SMS short messaging, not using, e.g., WAPprotocols. It is preferable that an appropriate number of menu levels besupported, e.g., up to five (5), but the present invention relates totwo or more levels of menus. The interactive SMS menus enable navigationto access multiple services at the easy selection of a choice, i.e.,with the selection of ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’, ‘4’, ‘5’, ‘6’, ‘7’, ‘8’, or ‘9’ inresponse to the receipt of any relevant menu. In the given example,selection of a ‘0’ takes you back to a home or root menu.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the menus on the SMSC 120 are staticin response to the mobile device 100, whereas the menus on the WirelessInternet Gateway 130 may be dynamic in that they are ‘formed’ by theresponse information provided by the relevant information server 150.

[0063]FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary application of interactive SMSmenus wherein on-demand stock updates are provided in response toselection from a lower level menu, in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention.

[0064] For example, a carrier might define a menu consisting of: 1)News, 2) Sports, 3) Local Weather, 4) Games, and 5) Stocks. A subscribercan quickly navigate through SMS menus to reach the Stocks option, press5, and the request will automatically be sent. The network may thenreturn an SMS menu page asking the user to enter the stock ticker, or itcan be set to provide the user with personalized stock tickerselections.

[0065]FIG. 4A shows another exemplary main menu. In the given example ofFIGS. 4A-4C, assume that the subscriber or user of the mobile device 100presses ‘3’ in response to the main, static menu shown in FIG. 4A.

[0066] In return, the mobile device 100 would receive a second level,static menu, e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B. In this example, the responseinteractive SMS menu requests a stock ticker identifying symbol, andoffers a ticker lookup option to simplify the user interface needs. Inthis case, the user might enter ‘2’‘58’ and send, with the ‘2’representing entry of a ticker to follow, ‘58’ corresponding to theticker LU (Lucent Technologies Inc.).

[0067] The relevant information server 150 would provide the relevantstock price information, and a third level dynamic ‘menu’ is transmittedto the mobile device 100 showing the exemplary information as in FIG.4C. Further menu options may be provided as shown in FIG. 4C, and thefourth and lower level menus may be static (e.g., simply retrieved byaddress from the SMSC 120) or may be dynamically formed using retrievedinformation from an appropriate application program via the Internet.

[0068] The information may be sent using the mobile device's mobileoriginated capabilities (no WAP necessary or required) to an externalserver that processes the query and returns a result to the mobiledevice.

[0069] The flexibility of this feature can allow service providers toconfigure their own options at different menu levels, depending onexisting/future service offerings. Moreover, this functionality allowsmobile device and air interface transparency, as long as the mobiledevice (e.g., cellular phone) is CDMA (IS-637) or TDMA (IS-136a) MobileOriginated SMS compliant.

[0070] Interactive SMS menu services may be provided in either of twoexemplary manners.

[0071] The first method utilizes a short message service center (SMSC)as simply a transport mechanism with an external short messaging entity(ESME) out in the TCP/IP network side providing all of the service. Thismay be accomplished, e.g., by defining entries to a message receivefinite state machine (FSM) allowing the subscriber to address theparticular ESME.

[0072] For instance, in a particular application, routing may beassisted by MO_Know (and/or MO_Dynamic) entries defined in a Msg_receiveFSM allowing the subscriber to address the ESME. These entries maydefine a table used to signify destination addresses that equate tocorresponding IP addresses, ports and connection on the Internet side.MO_Dynamic entries are similar to routing, but key off initial words ortext in a text message, then appropriately routes the message to a menuapplication.

[0073] The second method utilizes an SMSC to generate a menu andresponses transmitted to the mobile device. This may be accomplished bydefining, e.g., a Menu_Fsm and a Menu_table.

[0074] As an exemplary implementation of the second method, a 4-digitaddress is selected to identify the particular menu to be addressed. Ofcourse, fewer or more digits may be used to define the particular menubased on the needs of the particular application.

[0075] The menu address, e.g., the 4-digit address, may form a serviceaddress used by the subscriber to begin the menu dialog. For example,‘6368’ (menu) may form a parameter called, e.g., ‘menu_key’. This is allthat needs to be provisioned in a provisioning form, e.g., in a‘Menu_Fsm’ provisioning form. The body of the feature may be definedwithin another provisioning form, e.g., within a ‘Menu_table’provisioning form.

[0076] The MO_Know table form may also be provisioned with the menuaddress, e.g., with ‘6368’ as ‘index’ and ‘dest_index’ fields, and adelivery method ‘deliver_method’ set to delivery via the SMSC, e.g.,‘MO_smsc’. This allows mobile originated (MO) messages to be directed tothe menu finite state machine ‘Menu_Fsm’ for processing.

[0077] To request a particular menu, the mobile originating subscriberinitiates a message addressed to, e.g., ‘6368’. The menu request ispreferably directed to the ‘Menu_Fsm’, and expanded to a lengthsufficient to include a digit for each menu selected through.

[0078] For instance, the 4-digit menu address may be expanded to allowfor five (5) levels of menus by lengthening the menu address to a9-digit routing string by appending 0's to the end. While 0's are usedin this example, of course any suitable character (or characters) may beused to provide a ‘null’ value in the expanded version of the menuaddress.

[0079] In the given example, the resulting ‘root’ menu address is the9-bit address ‘636800000’, and this value is preferably defined in aMenu table form. In accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, a ‘text’ field preferably contains the text (menu options)that is to be returned to the subscriber. For example, a particular menumay include the text: “Select 1) Food 2) Drink”.

[0080] The field is preferably limited to fit within an allotted displayarea, e.g., to 150 characters. Moreover, the text is preferably notformatted, to allow flexibility in the display of the particular mobiledevice.

[0081] If a user response is required by the SMS in response to thetransmitted menu, a flag is set in the menu when transmitted to themobile device. For instance, a ‘menu_action’ field may preferably be setto, e.g., a ‘next_menu’ parameter, thus requiring a user response to thereceived interactive SMS menu.

[0082] The mobile originated subscriber receives the ‘text’ and sends,e.g., a 1-digit response to the message (e.g., 0 to 9). This response isagain directed to the menu finite state machine, e.g., ‘Menu_Fsm’, as‘636800000’, allowing return of a response code.

[0083] For example, assume the menu addressed by ‘6368’ includes thetext: “Select 1) Food 2) Drink, and that the user presses the ‘2’ key toprovide a ‘2’ as the response code after having read the selections. Theinteractive SMS menu feature preferably replaces the first ‘0’ in theexpanded portion of the menu address with a non-zero or non-nullresponse code. In the given example of a response of ‘2’, a text messagewill be returned by the mobile device to the SMSC including a ‘root’ of636820000.

[0084] The interactive SMS menu feature then looks for a matching ‘root’entry to the new menu address ‘63682’, and sends a corresponding newmenu back to the mobile originated subscriber in SMS text form orreplacement and display instead of the previous ‘6368’ menu. In thegiven example, a menu addressed at ‘63682’ may include text such as “1)Coffee 2) Tea 3) Juice 4) Soda 5) Water”.

[0085] The mobile originated subscriber receives the replacementinteractive SMS menu ‘text’, allowing for another 1-digit response bythe user, which is again directed to the menu finite state machine‘Menu_Fsm’. For example, assume a ‘3’ is the response code at thispoint. The interactive SMS menu feature preferably replaces the first‘0’ encountered with the response code, resulting in a new ‘root’ menuaddress of ‘636823000’.

[0086] This continues until a final menu selection has been made. If noadditional user responses are required, then the response field (e.g.,,‘menu_action’) in the SMS text message from the SMS to the mobile devicemay be set to, e.g., ‘final’.

[0087] Provision for returning to a ‘home’ menu may be provided. Forinstance, a user response of, e.g., ‘0’ or other null character may atany time cause the SMS to returns the main menu addressed at 636800000.

[0088] Preferably, each branch of the menu is provisioned as a separateentry into an appropriate menu table. Also preferably, the ‘root’ menuaddress preferably inherently contains the previous selections made bythe user to reach the current level of text, e.g., 636823000 includesthe selections of ‘2’ and ‘3’, through three levels of menus. While theprinciples of the present invention relate to menus having anywhere fromjust a couple to many, many levels, the length of the menu addressinherently serves to limit the number of levels that the menuing mayinclude. For instance, in the given example of expanding the menuaddress by five digits, five (5) levels of response menus (or 6 levelsof menus) may be provided.

[0089] Interaction with an external ESME may be accomplished byprovisioning an appropriate field, e.g., a ‘menu_action’ field as, e.g.,‘rqst’, and an auxiliary menu flag parameter, e.g., ‘aux_menu_flag’ to,e.g., ‘TRUE’ for that user selection. In the given example, this willresult in a message ‘aux_menu_string’ being escalated over an SMPP portidentified by ‘aux_menu_counter’. The mobile originated subscriber'smobile identification number (MIN) is included in the SMPP message sentto the ESME. Once escalated, the ESME is responsible for sendingmessages (conformation) to the mobile originated subscriber.

[0090] This implementation allows the SMSC to handle a portion of themenu processing, with the ability to hand off the subscriber to aspecific ESME depending on the subscriber's responses. The hand off mayactually be a request for specific information or a request for deliveryof an object (e.g., ‘3) juice’).

[0091] Menus may be pushed down to the mobile device via SMSC and can besetup to allow for user responses. The response can be delivered back tothe SMSC via Mobile Originated messaging and will trigger another menuto the handset allowing menus and interaction with external entities viaTCP/IP.

[0092] The following service implementation description depicts atypical menuing scenario.

[0093] Scenario 1—Menuing

[0094] 1. The first level menu is passed down to the mobile station. Themessage is passed down with a request for acknowledgement to themessage.

[0095] 2. The user can select a numeric acknowledgement to the menu.

[0096] 3. The MO message is sent back to the SMSC in the form of amobile originated short message.

[0097] 4. The message response is received by the SMSC and is acted onby moving to the next level menu or to initiate a request via TCP/IP asappropriate for retrieval of information.

[0098] 5. If a new menu is pushed down to the mobile station the messageis sent requesting replacement of the previous message.

[0099] 6. This message replacement allows for only one message ever tobe stored on the handset, which defines the current level within thenmenu structure.

[0100] 7. Every level of menuing allows the user to proceed to the nextlevel of menus or to return to the previous level of menus. This allowsthe user to interactively move between menus.

[0101] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, amobile device is provided with menu interfaces without requiringreplacement of the mobile device with a WAP compliant mobile deviceand/or without entering a WAP ‘browser mode’. Instead of requiringcompliance with WAP protocols, the solution saves costs by utilizing anSMSC as the transport mechanism.

[0102] The user may ‘walk’ thru various levels of a menu, and stop atany desired level. Preferably, the user can pick-up at that level of themenu at any time without creating a new connection. With CSD (e.g., withWAP), this is not possible and a large portion of cost is derived inconnection time to get started.

[0103] Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention,an SMSC includes the capability to interactively exchange messages witha mobile device. The SMSC is provided with the ability to detect a menulevel of a subscriber, and to interact with the mobile device asappropriate, without the need for WAP protocol communications.

[0104] Content for the mobile device menus may be provided, e.g., by asuitable news source, such as www.usatoday.com.

[0105] Benefits of Interactive Menus include: (1) Handset and airinterface transparency for TDMA (IS-136a), CDMA (IS-637), or GSM MobileOriginated SMS compliant handsets. (2) Easy personalization,customization, and configurability: users can “Pull” desired content ondemand or set up their profile for scheduled delivery. (3) Immediatelyavailable for current networks using existing standard SMS capabilities.(4) Utilization of SMS packet-based services instead of circuit switcheddata (CSD), relieving network congestion and leaving traffic channelsavailable for voice calls. (5) Utilization of less costly and moreplentiful Mobile Originated handsets, versus specialized WAPhandsets—though also compatible with WAP based servers and handsets. (6)Low implementation and operation costs with userself-provisioning—designed for easy offer to the masses.

[0106] One exemplary application making use of interactive SMS menus inaccordance with the principles of the present invention is on-linegaming, where users can stay on-line for extended periods of time, andalso interact with other players/subscribers.

[0107] Interactive SMS menu functionality has particular application inwireless carrier markets, Internet Service Providers markets, and/orInformation content delivery services/provision markets.

[0108] While the invention has been described with reference to theexemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able tomake various modifications to the described embodiments of the inventionwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive short messaging system menuselection process, comprising: receiving a text message from a mobiledevice including an identification of a main menu; transmitting a textmessage to said mobile device including text of said main menu; andreceiving back from said mobile device a choice corresponding to aselected further menu.
 2. The interactive short messaging system menuselection process according to claim 1, further comprising in responseto said receipt of said choice corresponding to a selected further menu:transmitting a replacement menu to said mobile device to replace text ofa previous menu.
 3. The interactive short messaging system menuselection process according to claim 1, wherein: said, choice is asingle digit choice.
 4. The interactive short messaging system menuselection process according to claim 3, wherein: said single digitchoice is non-zero.
 5. The interactive short messaging system menuselection process according to claim 1, wherein: said text of said mainmenu is unformatted for transmission to said mobile device.
 6. Theinteractive short messaging system menu selection process according toclaim 1, wherein: said mobile device is a cellular telephone.
 7. Theinteractive short messaging system menu selection process according toclaim 6, wherein: said cellular telephone is IS-41 compliant.
 8. Theinteractive short messaging system menu selection process according toclaim 6, wherein: said cellular telephone is GSM compliant.
 9. A methodof transmitting selection of a lower level menu using text messaging,comprising: responding to a first menu displayed on a mobile device byoverwriting at least one character of an address of said first menu, andtransmitting said overwritten address to a short messaging system (SMS).10. The method of transmitting selection of a lower level menu usingtext messaging according to claim 9, wherein: said overwritingoverwrites only one character of said address of said first menu. 11.The method of transmitting selection of a lower level menu using textmessaging according to claim 9, further comprising: receiving a secondmenu corresponding to an address indicated by said overwritten address.12. Apparatus for selecting an interactive short messaging system menu,comprising: means for receiving a text message from a mobile deviceincluding an identification of a main menu; means for transmitting atext message to said mobile device including text of said main menu; andmeans for receiving back from said mobile device a choice correspondingto a selected further menu.
 13. The apparatus for selecting aninteractive short messaging system menu according to claim 12, furthercomprising: means for transmitting a replacement menu to said mobiledevice to replace text of a previous menu in response to receipt of saidchoice corresponding to a selected further menu.
 14. The apparatus forselecting an interactive short messaging system menu according to claim12, wherein: said choice is a single digit choice.
 15. The apparatus forselecting an interactive short messaging system menu according to claim14, wherein: said single digit choice is non-zero.
 16. The apparatus forselecting an interactive short messaging system menu according to claim12, wherein: said means for transmitting a text message and said meansfor transmitting a text message each transmit unformatted text.
 17. Theapparatus for selecting an interactive short messaging system menuaccording to claim 12, wherein: said mobile device is a cellulartelephone.
 18. The apparatus for selecting an interactive shortmessaging system menu according to claim 17, wherein: said cellulartelephone is IS-41 compliant.
 19. The apparatus for selecting aninteractive short messaging system menu selection process according toclaim 17, wherein: said cellular telephone is GSM compliant. 20.Apparatus for transmitting selection of a lower level menu using textmessaging, comprising: means for responding to a first menu displayed ona mobile device by overwriting at least one character of an address ofsaid first menu, and transmitting said overwritten address to a shortmessaging system (SMS); and means for receiving a second menucorresponding to an address indicated by said overwritten address. 21.The apparatus for transmitting selection of a lower level menu usingtext messaging according to claim 20, wherein: said means for respondingoverwrites only one character of said address of said first menu.